Lobos add Temple transfer lineman out of portal 

With schools already finished adding transfers, the Lobos pulled one more out of the portal — at a position of need, too.

Temple transfer offensive lineman Ken Meir confirmed to the Journal that he has signed with New Mexico out of the transfer portal. 

The 6-foot-4, 295-pound redshirt junior joins the Lobos after spending one season with the Owls. He previously played at Lindenwood (Missouri) University and Foothill (Calif.) College, and has one year of eligibility remaining.

UNM has publicly signed 21 players out of the portal since it opened on Jan. 2. Meir represents only the second offensive lineman the Lobos have added in that span, and could help address the program’s need for lineman with offensive tackle size.

Set to play for his fourth school in as many years, Meir said he entered the portal to try and find a better fit after not seeing the field last season at Temple. UNM’s success last season and his official visit all helped him reach a decision, choosing the Lobos over additional offers from Cal Poly, San Diego, Robert Morris, Samford and Campbell.

The opportunity for the Palo Alto, Calif. native to get closer to home didn’t hurt either.

“(It) was pretty evident from the get-go (on Meir’s visit) how close-knit of a community UNM is,” he told the Journal on Tuesday. “The coaches seem to be all-in and they’re fantastic people. The support staff is amazing.

“It just felt like the complete package.”

As a player, Meir has seen his greatest successes at Foothill, earning All-State honors as a sophomore. He was also a two-time All-League player at Henry M. Gunn (Calif.) High School, where he first shined as a self-described “nasty" run blocker.

“I’m a big quarterback guy. I don’t like guys getting on my quarterback, touching him, breathing on him,” he added. “But (I’m) also a team player. I will prioritize the team before anything else."

Shrine Bowl notes

One of the Lobos’ best defensive players made his mark at the East-West Shrine Bowl.

Former UNM defensive end Keyshawn James-Newby made the most of his reps in Tuesday’s prospect showcase, helping the West team notch a close 21-17 win over the East at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas.

After making 52 total tackles and nine sacks this season with UNM, the 6-foot-2, 244-pound fifth-year senior was the only Lobo to appear in this year’s edition of the prominent collegiate all-star game. 

James-Newby notably forced what would’ve been intentional grounding – a foul that isn’t called in the Shrine Bowl – on former Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels before stopping him on 4th-and-2 in the second half.

Official stats from the Shrine Bowl were not available at the time of publication. Visit abqjournal.com for updates.

Lobos to Lions? 

Former UNM quarterback Cole Welliver has committed to Southeastern Louisiana, he announced Monday via social media.

The 6-7, 224-pound redshirt freshman appeared in one game with the Lobos this season after transferring in from Connecticut. He spent nearly the entirety of the year listed as the third-string quarterback behind starter Jack Layne and backup James Laubstein.

Welliver joins the Lions with three years of eligibility remaining.

“LET’S DO IT!” he wrote in a commitment post Monday.

After losing Welliver (transfer) and Laubstein (expired eligibility), UNM added Oregon transfer Luke Moga via the portal and prep signee Cade Mitchell as an early enrollee to its quarterbacks room. Layne, Toa Faavae and Gabriel Motschenbacher are also set to return next season.

Sean Reider covers college football and other sports for the Journal. You can reach him at sreider@abqjournal.com or via X at @lenaweereider.